Best Nightlife Spots in San Diego That Come Alive after Sunset

San Diego’s nightlife will never rival that of a big city, but it exists with a surprisingly wide variety of exciting options for a casual beach town. If you want to glam it up for a top-notch, Vegas-style experience or chat with friends over a specialty cocktail and ocean breezes, both are available.

Most of the bars and clubs on this list are located in downtown San Diego, so if you’re a night owl visiting the city, this is the neighborhood you may want to park yourself in. The Gaslamp Quarter’s many rooftop bars offer spectacular night-time views over the skyline with cozy seating, fireplace pits and cool cocktails. Go below street level, as many of the historical buildings in the Quarter boast basements (which are not common in California), where you’ll find other exciting places to spend an evening. Nightclubs that will send anyone's senses into overdrive cater to VIPs. Beach communities all around San Diego County also offer up more casual nightlife opportunities, for those interested in enjoying a beer or cocktail with waves crashing in the background.

Regardless of your bedtime, San Diego offers up a wide range of nightlife choices and 10Best narrows the list down for you right here.

There's live music at Belly Up almost every night. Belly Up is not pretentious and has a more casual vibe, despite being an award-winning nightspot. Up-and-coming artists as well as established legends in genres ranging from alternative rock, rock, reggae, and hip-hop to blues, folk, jazz, Latin and more perform here. Recent concerts include the Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
No dress code enforced other than don't forget to wear shoes. Check the online calendar for upcoming shows where you can even hear a sample or two of the featured band's music. Limited bar food is available for purchase. Be prepared to dance.

There's live music at Belly Up almost every night. Belly Up is not pretentious and has a more casual vibe, despite being an award-winning nightspot. Up-and-coming artists as well as established legends in genres ranging from alternative rock,... Read More

This Gaslamp bar sets a classy and sophisticated backdrop for the young and beautiful of San Diego to mix and mingle. Set amidst antiques, art and leather couches perched on gleaming hardwoods, this spot sports quite the scene. Dress smartly on the weekends if you hope to be seen covorting with other heavy spending A-listers at one of Tipsy Crow's three expansive bars. The Main Bar has pool tables, lower level a dance floor and the upstairs a VIP lounge so people can hang out where they choose. The bar mixes classic décor, craft beers, quality cocktails and unique bites with years of experience and upscale service.

This Gaslamp bar sets a classy and sophisticated backdrop for the young and beautiful of San Diego to mix and mingle. Set amidst antiques, art and leather couches perched on gleaming hardwoods, this spot sports quite the scene. Dress smartly on... Read More

Evoking an Asian street market feel, Bang Bang features three separate concepts in one space - one part asian fusion restaurant, one part sushi bar and one part "theatre" which hosts live music, DJs, movies, and is home to the largest disco ball (5.5 feet wide) west of the Mississippi. Guests are transported through Bang Bang via a tunneled staircase entrance reminiscent of a Tokyo subway, complete with Tokyo subway sounds streaming through hidden speakers. Backed by nightlife impresario, Johnny Shockey and LED, Bang Bang offers unparalleled entertainment with some of the hottest up and coming DJs, inviting guests to come for dinner and stay the rest of the night. A full list of upcoming DJs can be found on their website.

Evoking an Asian street market feel, Bang Bang features three separate concepts in one space - one part asian fusion restaurant, one part sushi bar and one part "theatre" which hosts live music, DJs, movies, and is home to the largest disco ball... Read More

Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet, San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. Drink from old school barber "shot" chairs (drink and spin!) or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You'll love it, even if country music isn't your thing.

Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the... Read More

Hailed as offering the most spectacular rooftop view in San Diego, Altitude Sky Lounge is located on top of the Marriott Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. The rooftop location features gardens and a waterfall, 22 stories above street level. When the Padres playing at nearby PETCO park, you can actually watch the game from Altitude. The airy rooftop bar has plenty of open space to mix and mingle along with a fire pit and lounge chairs. Dress to impress as a stylish crowd is always in attendance. Bottle service is available as is a new lounge area with a glass-walled balcony.

Hailed as offering the most spectacular rooftop view in San Diego, Altitude Sky Lounge is located on top of the Marriott Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. The rooftop location features gardens and a waterfall, 22 stories above street level. When the... Read More

Two clubs in one, Onyx Room and Thin occupy two floors of the same space, with Thin at street level and Onyx below. Both are trendy spots that draw the ultra-cool who want to party with inventive cocktails in hand and plenty of eye candy located throughout the room. Different nights feature different music styles, from jazz to hip-hop and old-school. One cover charge gets you into both. As an upscale nightclub, Onyx has a dress code so skip the beachwear. Thin is built for big crowds while Onyx is still happening, but more lounge-y. Register online for the guest list which may feature a discounted or no cover charge.

Two clubs in one, Onyx Room and Thin occupy two floors of the same space, with Thin at street level and Onyx below. Both are trendy spots that draw the ultra-cool who want to party with inventive cocktails in hand and plenty of eye candy located... Read More

Polite Provisions serves up cocktails and classic American fare in University Heights. Their massive custom tap system not only features 18 craft beers on tap, but eight white wines, nine red wines, three carbonated cocktails, two non-carbonated spirituous cocktails, two spirits and one tap of each--amaro, dry vermouth, aperitif and sherry. There's also four seltzer water draft handles and iced coffee on draft brewed with beans roasted just four blocks away at the locally owned Coffee & Tea Collective. The coffee is kept at temperatures just above freezing so it stays fresh. The also offer a rare line-up of amari. Come here to lounge with friends until late night.

Polite Provisions serves up cocktails and classic American fare in University Heights. Their massive custom tap system not only features 18 craft beers on tap, but eight white wines, nine red wines, three carbonated cocktails, two non-carbonated... Read More

FLUXX is Downtown San Diego's high-end dance club. Just as its name implies, FLUXX nightclub's mood and motif are kept in a constant state of change designed to create a unique experience with every visit.
The venue incorporates organic decor amidst bright, bold colors and playful design elements including a large-scale adult tree house, a 15-ft custom rope chandelier and eye-catching art.
FLUXX is your excuse to revive your most stylish apparel as there is a dress code. FLUXX offers a Vegas-style VIP bottle service and centrally located VIP tables. Or, reserve the tree house which also has a private bar!

FLUXX is Downtown San Diego's high-end dance club. Just as its name implies, FLUXX nightclub's mood and motif are kept in a constant state of change designed to create a unique experience with every visit.
The venue incorporates organic decor... Read More

People come for the cocktails and say that you'll never drink a better one. This San Diego speakeasy is found via a somewhat secret door near the door to the kitchen at The Neighborhood. Reservations are by text message only and Noble Experiment is always full, as there are only 32 seats. Cocktails are made with premium spirits and all natural, sustainable ingredients. There isn't any food for sale, go to The Neighborhood if you're hungry. A wall of gold-plated skulls lines the wall of this speakeasy and service is top notch. There isn't another drinking experience like this in San Diego. It's special.

People come for the cocktails and say that you'll never drink a better one. This San Diego speakeasy is found via a somewhat secret door near the door to the kitchen at The Neighborhood. Reservations are by text message only and Noble Experiment... Read More

The swanky Andaz Hotel offers the nightlife seekers several options. The new Rooftop600 is where you'll find a club-like atmosphere of guest DJs, dancing, and bottle service under the stars. Recently renovated, find fire pits, comfortable lounge seating, and two full-service bars mixing up craft cocktails using local, fresh ingredients and more. During the day, RoofTop600 gives guests the opportunity to host private adult pool parties. The views of downtown San Diego from here are incredible and a retractable roof provides shade from the sun and shelter from the rare rainy day. Don't forget to put your name on the guest list online to avoid disappointment.

The swanky Andaz Hotel offers the nightlife seekers several options. The new Rooftop600 is where you'll find a club-like atmosphere of guest DJs, dancing, and bottle service under the stars. Recently renovated, find fire pits, comfortable lounge... Read More

Meet Katie Dillon

Katie Dillon originally moved to the seaside community of La Jolla to attend UC San Diego. When the opportunity presented itself, she and her husband set off for a 7 year stint overseas as... More About Katie